Report by Graham Robins

Sam Allen (PedalOn) made it onto the top step of the podium at today’s race after leading the race from start to finish. Jamie Norfolk, Allen’s team mate was second to increase the Tadley shops dominance of this season league. Despite a slight parting with his bike, Alex Forrester (Zepnat.com) pulled himself back up to complete the podium positions.

Today’s race was promoted by Winchester club VC Venta and held within lovely setting of the Sparsholt Agricultural College. The course had everything a race could want; we had ups and downs, grassland, gravel, tarmac and a small section of sand to please every type of rider style. Even the sun made an appearance on the first day of winter timetable.

With the light of the day beginning to slip away a large field of seniors lined up for the final round of the day. As the race started Forrester made to grass start loop to his liking but Allen quickly made his move and passed the temporary leader. The front of the race quickly settled down into single file as Allen began to ease away from Norfolk, Forrester and Tom Budden (Sotonia CC). Also staying with the leaders were Tom Sewell (Cotswold Veldrijden), Michael Guilford (VC Meudon) and David Spencer from the host club.

On the second lap with Allen already well clear of Norfolk there was some fun and games with the little group behind as first of all Budden caught his bars in the tape and he exited a tight corner as his front wheel washed away dumping him over his bars and on the ground. This did little to slow Forrester who quickly got past; Budden was quick to jump up and only lost a place. Later on the lap it was Forrester’s turn to part from his bike but like Budden he was quick to recover.

The nature of the long lap allowed riders to get a gap over the next rider and there were little to no position changes for the six laps. Tom Sewell and Michael Guilford were in a little battle in the middle of the pack and Karl Norfolk (PedalOn) was picking off places and now he was up to seventh were the only changes throughout the race distance.

So with Allen all on his own and with Norfolk 34secs down he was able to take his first win of the season. Forrester took the final podium spot albeit a minute down.

In the combined Women’s race there was a return to cross racing for Swindon based rider Claire Smith (Cotswold Veldrijden) and she looked like she had not been away. Leading the race in the early stages was Lindy Larkin (Sarum Velo) who led the race away and quickly started to make a break. Smith had to start further down the grid but by the second lap she was on the wheel of Larkin and then didn’t waste any time in getting past the younger rider. With Jennifer Forrester down in fifth place and second senior Larkin’s position on the top step of the podium was almost secure. Smith kept building on here lead and at the bell she was 45secs ahead of Larkin but 58secs over second vet rider Jessica Connor (Cotswold Veldrijden). The Scott Racing rider Caroline Goward was now third vet on the ‘road’ with Alison Rothnie (Spokes BPC Racing) the third senior rider but she was running in 8^th.

Owen Pattinson (Owens Cycles) was dominate in the vet 50+ race leading from the start, he opened a gap over Chris Hutchings (VC Venta) and Tim Costello (GS Vecchi) and set off into the distance never to be seen. Costello was joined by Gary Barlow (Reading CC) on the second lap as Hutchinson slipped back. Mike Williams (Fareham Wheelers) was the next rider to get past Hutchinson but this was the last change of places before the chequered flag.

The combined vet 40+ and junior race was won by Angus Hawkins (PPV) who had been in a tussle all race with vet rider William McDonald (Banjo Cycles) and the two took the race right down to the wire. After swapping places throughout the race Hawkins took his opportunity going into the final twisty wooded single track section to make his move. Once clear of the trees Hawkins had a clear run to the line but Pattinson was not going to give up the win easily and on the line the younger rider took the win by 1sec. Roger Prior (Jericho) was running third all on his own with Jonathan Hall (Sotonia CC) the third placed vet back in sixth place. In between the vet riders were Matthew Coulson (PPV) and Liam Sewell (Cotswold Veldrijden) taking the other two podium spots.

(full results)

Results

1^st Sam Allen PedalOn 53mins 26secs

2^nd Jamie Norfolk PedalOn @34secs

3^rd Alex Forrester Zepnat.com @59secs

4^th Tom Budden Sotonia CC 1min 17secs

5^th Tom Sewell Cotswold Veldrijden 1min 36secs

6^th Michael Guilford VC Meudon @1min 37secs

7^th Karl Norfolk PedalOn @1min 48secs

8^th Dave Spencer VC Venta @3mins 05secs

9^th Dan Atkins Didcot Phoenix @3mins 06secs

10^th Oscar Hutchings VC Equipe-Flix

Women

1^st Claire Smith Cotswold Veldrijden 42mins 39secs 1^st Vet

2^nd Lindy Larkin Sarum Velo @45secs 1^st Senior

3^rd Jessica Connor Cotswold Veldrijden @58secs 2^nd vet

4^th Caroline Goward Scott Racing 3^rd vet

5^th Jennifer Forrester Zepnat 2^nd senior

6^th Cam Powell PedalOn

7^th Rachel Clay VC Meudon

8^th Alison Rothnie BPC Spokes Racing 3^rd senior

9^th Bethan Stubbs Bianchi Dama UK

10^th Lauren Cracknell PedalOn

Vet 50+

1^st Owen Pattinson Owens Cycles 37mins 43secs

2^nd Gary Barlow Reading CC

3^rd Tim Costello GS Vecchi

4^th Mike Williams Fareham Wheelers

5^th Chris Hutchings VC Venta

6^th Phillip Boarer GS Vecchi

7^th Martyn Dymond C&N Cycles

8^th Malcolm Cross VC Venta

9^th Anthony Dyment NHRC

10^th Robert Waller Banjo Cycles

Vet 40+/junior

1^st Angus Hawkins PPV 38mins 15secs 1^st junior

2^nd William McDonald Banjo Cycles @1sec 1^st vet

3^rd Roger Prior Jericho 2^nd vet

4^th Matthew Coulson PPV 2^nd junior

5^th Liam Sewell Cotswold Veldrijden 3^rd junior

6^th Jonathan Hall Sotonia CC 3^rd vet

7^th Ben Bishop Charlotteville CC

8^th Paul Jones Cotswold Veldrijden

9^th Rory west Reading CC

10^th Jay Allen PedalOn